What's The Best Flashlight for $25 or less

[Iplayfarmer]

My family published this year's Christmas gift exchange list recently, and I was assigned to buy for my notoriously hard to buy for Brother-in-Law. For the record, I love this guy. He's one of the most amazing guys I know. He's just hard to buy for.

Is there such a thing as too many flashlights? I think not, and so I figure getting him a super nice flashlight is a good option. You all are the kind of people that I would think know what's good and what's not in flashlights so bring on the suggestions. Our recommended price range is $20-$25. Web links to online seller are welcome.

What's the best flashlight that can be bought for $25 or less? Also, Why... Lumens? Durability? Battery Life? Compact? Other features?

Thanks in advance for doing my Christmas shopping for me.

 

[tjkubota93]

AA led mag light?

I have an old AA mag light with an aftermarket led conversion and I like it.

 

[GaryM]

I'm a flashlight guy and when people ask about the "best" light I always ask that they define best. As you say: brightest, best battery life, lightest weight, flood beam, long throw, disposable batteries, rechargeable, batteries, pocket sized, waterproof?

What does the guy do? Cop, mechanic, handyman, camper?

I've got lights great for walking in the deep woods, but not for reading a menu in a dim restaraunt.

Some brands that I like are Surefire, Four Sevens, O-Light and Fenix. They are available on line rather than in brick and mortar stores.

Check out candlepowerforums.com.

 

[2458n]

Harbor Freight has metal 100 led flashlight with two settings. Mother uses it for walking the dogs. Bought for 15.99. I use for everything.

 

[airbiscuit]

I'm telling you, these cheap imports on ebay are amazing even if they exaggerate on lumens. I like the ones with the 18650 batteries. 2 batteries, 2 chargers, 2 flashlights for $12!

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

You're not going to get anywhere near a "best" flashlight for $25.

If this guy is "hard to buy for", is it because he always demands the highest quality, or is it just because he never tells anyone what he wants?

I've bought a couple of cheap $20-25 flashlights off the wall at Wallywold that I use for work, but I certainly wouldn't call them "best". They work ok for work, but if they get lost, stolen, broken, I'm not going to care, just go out and get another one.

My 2 "best" lights are an original Surefire that I put an LED kit in, and a LED Laser. Neither one of those was cheap, but they are pretty high quality.

 

[dmccarty]

Do a search on TBN for flashlights. There was a LONG conversation about flashlights/inexpensive flashlights not that long ago.

Later,
Dan

 

[ovrszd]

Not going to get much for $25 in the flashlight world. How about a "gag" gift of some kind? Depending on age, maybe a selection of sample size products that his age man might have a "need" for??

We do a ticket drawing grab bag gift exchange. The gag gifts are most appreciated. Our price limit is the same as yours. For example, last year my Eldest Son (44 years old) got a pair of house slippers made from Kotex maxi-pads. I'm positive someone else is going to get those this year.

 

[airbiscuit]

$25 of Glo Sticks from the Dollar Store should be pretty bright!

 

[Gem99ultra]

I'm telling you, these cheap imports on ebay are amazing even if they exaggerate on lumens. I like the ones with the 18650 batteries. 2 batteries, 2 chargers, 2 flashlights for $12!

View attachment 525947

A little more info on these flashlights..

I have a handful of these flashlights around here. All over the place. And, while I do like them a lot, the truth is that they won't shine more than about 20-30 minutes on a single battery charge. The battery charger that is shown in this ad is also total garbage. (My opinion, of course.) If you don't already have one, you might want to buy yourself a good rechargeable battery charger right up front.

The nice thing is that the batteries than come with those flashlights are very good. And the flashlights are small enough to stick one in your pocket is also very nice. Overall, I'd rate these as a Good Buy for a throw-away light.